Abstract: :
Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy oflong term treatment with preservative free diclofenac sodium0.1% eye drop in patients with vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC).Methods: A prospective open study was performed in twenty-twopatients with VKC, treated with preservative free diclofenacsodium 0.1% eye-drop. Patients have used diclofenac sodium 0.1%preservative free eye-drop four times daily in both eyes for120 days. Signs (papillae, hyperaemia and corneal lesions) andsymptoms (itching, redness and photophobia)of the ocular surfacewere graded and statistically evaluated before and after treatmentby non parametric test (Mann-Whitney U test).Results: Fortyper cent of the patients improved their symptoms at the endof the treatment. (Total signs and symptoms score were significantlydecreased, p< 0.001, from the baseline values, 6.13 ±1.45 to 0.81 ± 0.90; 5.40 ± 1.18 to 2.63 ±0.95 respectively). A significant decrease of conjunctival redness(p<0.001), itching (p<0.001) and photophobia (p<0.001)was observed at the end of treatment. Conjunctiva hyperaemiawas significantly reduced (p<0.001) at the end of treatment,while no significant differences were observed for corneal lesionsand for papillary size.None of the patients showed exacerbationof the disease during the treatment.Conclusion: VKC is a chronicdisease that requires prolonged treatment to control the inflammatoryprocess. Our study demonstrates the efficacy and safety of thetreatment with preservative free diclofenac sodium 0.1% eyedrop in the control of signs and symptoms of VKC in the longterm follow up.